Posted on 07/06/2010 5:06:30 PM PDT by verum ago
Ok, so I just related this little story in this thread but have decided that it may merit its own post.
This is a story related to me several years ago by my at the time roommate. He was at some sort of church social function that had some active duty personnel in attendance. He saw a little boy, about 5 or 6, who had drawn a crude American flag on both sides of a piece of paper in crayon. After neglecting his little paper flag for a few minutes, he began folding it in what appeared to be the idle and random manner of a bored child. But about 15 minutes later, the little boy got up, the paper folded in something resembling a triangle, and walked over to a young Marine in dress blues. He stood at attention until the Marine noticed him, then saluted the Marine, handed him his hand made, folded paper flag, spun on his heel, marched back to the table he'd been sitting at, sat down, and immediately began to cry.
In making and folding that little paper flag he was emulating what he had seen the day before at the funeral of his father, who had been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
The Marine who'd had this paper flag given to him said something to another Marine nearby and then went to talk to little boy. The other Marine politely excused himself from the crowd and then hurried out of the building. About half an hour later, he returned with a newly bought 2'x3' American flag and a utility cover. He and the first Marine then showed the boy how to fold the flag, and after a few attempts the little boy managed to get it folded serviceably with their help. The second Marine also gave him the service cover. By now the little boy was beaming, and half the room, including his crying, but smiling, mother, was watching him. The Marines finally stood up and saluted the boy, who, wearing the cover, stood up to return the salute, paused, took the cover off, and then returned their salute.
I can't see a folded flag or read a story about a military funeral without thinking about that little boy...
We will never forget.
Christian Golcznski, Child of a Fallen Marine From The Iraq War Receives American Flag from Marine Lt. Col. Ric Thompson During a Military Funeral for Staff Sgt. Marcus Golczynski
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Marcus A. Golczynski, 30, was killed in Iraq on March 27 in Iraq while on his second tour of duty. Golczynski, also known as "Sergeant Ski," was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's Third Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Fourth Marine Division, Nashville.
wonderful post. Thanks.
and Thanks for the pictures, Daffy.
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